| Have you ever heard of Harvey Ball? Probably | | | | frowning and others smiling to test subjects. The |
| not...but you will certainly be aware of his world | | | | subjects found it easy to frown at the frowning |
| famous design. Ball was the creator of the 'smiley' - | | | | pictures and to smile at the smiling ones...but they |
| the yellow circle with the simple two eyes and smiling | | | | found it almost impossible to frown at the smiling |
| mouth that we all know so well. The smiley made Ball | | | | ones! The other major benefit of smiling is that you |
| a very rich man but he became concerned with the | | | | will find people easier to deal with because they will |
| over-commercialisation of the image and so he | | | | feel more relaxed in your company. This will lead to |
| created World Smile Day...one day of the year when | | | | more positive interactions and will open up possibilities |
| everyone, regardless of race, political beliefs, religion | | | | that may otherwise have not been there for you. |
| or geography should simply smile. He decided that it | | | | How cool is that - or is it just me? |
| should fall on the first Friday in October each year, so | | | | 4. It Takes More Muscles To Frown Than Smile. |
| this year; World Smile Day is on Friday 2nd October. | | | | Hmm, the jury's still out on that one but I will run |
| Smiling has many benefits...read on to find out more. | | | | with it. Why? Well, although it's been a popular saying |
| Reasons to be cheerful...1, 2, 3 | | | | for years, there is no medical evidence to support |
| 1. Smiling Can Make You Happy. It's true! You don't | | | | this. However, a habitual expression does end up |
| just smile when you're happy. Making yourself smile - | | | | leaving its mark on your face. Take a look at some |
| even if you don't feel that you have a reason too - | | | | faces the next time you're out and about. Some |
| forces your body to release chemicals which will | | | | people have deeply etched 'down' lines around their |
| make you feel happier almost immediately. If you | | | | mouth. This means that even when they're happy, |
| don't believe me, try it right now and see for | | | | they tend to look miserable. To avoid this, try and be |
| yourself. Don't worry about feeling a bit daft - the | | | | aware of your expression and if you feel the ends of |
| payoff is worth it! You feel it, can't you? So now you | | | | your mouth drooping, make a conscious effort to |
| have an 'instant' tool to lift your mood. | | | | raise them up. What if you could train yourself to do |
| 2. A Smile Makes You Feel More Positive, doesn't it? | | | | this? You can! Just keep reminding yourself to be |
| As we've just demonstrated, simply smiling can alter | | | | aware of your expression and change it if it slips. It |
| your state of mind which has a lot more benefits | | | | will soon become second nature and you won't have |
| that simply giving you a 'feel good' moment. If you're | | | | to think about it any more - and those smiling |
| feeling down, everything suddenly feels like more | | | | benefits will just keep on coming... not least, a lack of |
| hard work or an effort, but when you're in a better | | | | unattractive 'down' lines by your mouth. Looking |
| mood, tasks or situations don't feel so daunting, do | | | | happier and better will improve your self-esteem and |
| they? If you're nervous, anxious, fed up, angry or | | | | therefore boost your confidence. |
| miserable, try the smile and lift your own mood. You | | | | 5. Smiling Makes You Healthier. It's true! Studies have |
| are actually taking charge and changing your | | | | proved that people who smile regularly tend to be |
| emotional state. Once you have done that, you can | | | | more optimistic about their lives. Not only that, they |
| look at everything in a more positive way and your | | | | also have stronger immune systems and that helps |
| actions and relationships will improve. | | | | them to fight off illnesses. The studies also showed |
| 3. Your Smile Can Change Other People Too. Just | | | | that these folks are more likely to eat nutritious |
| think back to a time when you have had an | | | | food, get lots of sleep, and enjoy taking exercise |
| interaction with somebody who was really down or | | | | and spending time with friends. All of that, due to |
| unhappy. How did that make you feel? Tired? | | | | smiling more! If it sounds a bit far fetched, just think |
| Drained? Wiped out? Probably all of those things! Now | | | | of a time when you have been really low - don't you |
| remember a time when you spent time with a friend | | | | feel rotten physically too? |
| or acquaintance who was cheerful, smiling and | | | | So how about smiling and see what a difference it |
| positive. Didn't that feel better? You probably came | | | | can make today, this week, this month, this |
| away more energised and ready to take action over | | | | year...what a difference it can make to your life! |
| any number of tasks. That's' the positive power of | | | | MY TOP 5 TIPS ON SMILING TO HAVE MORE |
| smiling. Just as you were positively affected by | | | | CONFIDENCE IN ANY SITUATION |
| someone else's smile - you have the power to do | | | | 1. Make Yourself Happy With A Smile. |
| that for someone else. And when you do, something | | | | 2. Smile To Feel More Positive. |
| magical will happen. The smile that you give out will | | | | 3. Smile And Change The Way People React To You. |
| come right back at you...and it will make you feel | | | | 4. Train Yourself To Look Happier - And Keep |
| good. Don't just take my word for it - a study in | | | | Reaping Those Benefits. |
| Sweden in 2002 involved showing pictures of people | | | | 5. Smile Your Way To A Healthier Life. |